UCLA Reproductive Health Interest Grouphttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com
RHIGSun, 18 Feb 2018 04:47:34 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngUCLA Reproductive Health Interest Grouphttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com
House Republicans 1 – Women’s Rights 0https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/house-republicans-1-womens-rights-0/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/house-republicans-1-womens-rights-0/#respondTue, 03 Oct 2017 22:39:24 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=194Continue reading House Republicans 1 – Women’s Rights 0]]>Today, led by House Majority Leader *Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the House passed HR36 an unconstitutional, near-ban on abortion at 20 weeks. “The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act”, as the bill is pointedly and deceptively titled, would not only ban abortion at 20 weeks but criminalize those procedures performed after the arbitrary 20-week cut-off period. Roe v. Wade set the cutoff for legal abortion at the point of fetal viability which the medical community agrees is around 24 weeks gestation.

Simple math indicates that the bill is unlikely to pass the **Senate. HR36 would require 60 Senate votes to collect $200 and pass civil liberties, and the Republicans currently hold 52 Senate seats. This is far from the point. This attempt at limiting women’s reproductive rights feels like a consolation prize for the multitude of failures to repeal and replace the ACA. If that doesn’t sting enough know that this is merely a sign of what’s to come. Abortion is in theory legal in the United States. But we are living in a time where increasingly intense state-level restrictions on abortion access, and the growing criminalization of the practice are rendering abortion care inaccessible in practice.

I can track my postmates Thai food order with the same ease that I can track my period and ovulation cycle on my phone. And yet, our rights to our own bodies and the conversation around women’s rights and roles in this country are moving backwards alarmingly fast.

*By the way, Congressman Kevin McCarthy represents California’s 23rd Congressional District which encompasses parts of Bakersfield and touches on Los Angeles County. He very well may represent your district. He is up for reelection in 2018…just sayin’.

**Call your senators regardless! If, like me, you’re from California and your Senators are trail-blazing, feminist goddesses then call them for no other reason than to tell them that and maybe to apologize for them having to deal with this goober everyday.

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/house-republicans-1-womens-rights-0/feed/0uclarhigToolkit for Being the Best Advocate EVER During the Trump Presidencyhttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/toolkit-for-being-the-best-advocate-ever-during-the-trump-presidency/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/toolkit-for-being-the-best-advocate-ever-during-the-trump-presidency/#respondFri, 27 Jan 2017 18:17:58 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=158Nearly 3 million people took to the streets on Saturday January 21st for the Women’s March on Washington and its sister marches across the country. This was not only the largest inaugural protest but also the largest civil demonstration in American history. As one popular tweeter declared: “Sorry Mr. Trump, THIS is what a populist movement looks like”.

Saturday represented an incredible moment of pride and hope for many of us. However, populist movements are not built on one march alone. It is absolutely critical that as individuals, communities, and as a nation we capitalize on this action-oriented momentum, continue to advocate for our beliefs, and organize to create change.

We’re in this for the long haul and it is essential we mobilize to prevent more damage. Midterm elections are just 650 days away. That’s Tuesday, November 6, 2018—mark your calendars now. More than ever civic engagement, and robust discussions are necessary for us to mend the rifts in our country and push forward a progressive political platform. The change starts with us, the people, joining together for grassroots movements. With that said, RHIG presents your activist toolkit. We’ve outlined a number of actions you can take, both big and small, that will make a real difference (even if you live in the progressive bastion that is California).

Toolkit to being the best advocate EVER during the Trump Presidency

Seriously, mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 6, 2018 and remember to vote. Even better, mark a reminder for sometime in the summer of 2018 to make sure you’re registered to vote and to remind family and friends to register. If you’re a California voter you can check your registration status right here.

Pick two. Pick two causes you care about to focus your efforts. Impact comes from focus. This will also help you avoid activist fatigue.

Reach out to your local community and volunteer. Find an organization in your community whose mission you are passionate about and ask how you can best be of service to them. Better yet…find a volunteer activity that involves reaching youth. Help foster the next generation of activists by volunteering as a big brother or sister, getting involved in peer mentoring, or talking to youth in your community

Try swinging…as in, politically. Get involved in swing states and swing districts to make a difference where it has the most impact. The entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, and many state Governors are up for reelection in 2018 – and most are democratic seats. We have an incredible opportunity to take control back in Congress and a responsibility to at least maintain our current levels of representation. Find your closest swing district and get information about being a volunteer here: https://swingleft.org/ (FYI – Keep an eye out for announcements from RHIG; we’re working on getting some partnerships going with public health schools in Nevada and Arizona.)

Use your expertise to write op-eds and publish them in local papers. Here’s a quick guide on how to get started.

Put your money to work for you. The threat to defund Planned Parenthood is absolutely real. But do you know what else is real? Private donors. The power of private donors is incredible and, truly, even $5 goes a long way. Pick a cause and make a recurring monthly donation of $5, $10, or more! Even graduate students can afford that! Here is a list of just some organizations that can use your help. Even if you can’t afford a contribution you can absolutely withhold your money from companies that support Trump. Boycott Trump is a free app to help you determine what companies have a connection to Trump.

Lobby your representatives on Capitol Hill. Population Connection Action Fund holds an annual advocacy training event in Washington D.C. and, if you’re a student, you can go for free. Check out their website for more information. RHIG and The Bixby Center are also prepared to offer help for students to attend. If you are interested you can email UCLARHIG@gmail.com.

Join the Women’s March organizers in their 10 Actions for the First 100 Days campaign. The first action is simply to send a postcard to your Senator telling them what issues are most important to you. Consider hosting a postcard writing party for friends and family, postcard downloads are available online. You can also sign up for their email list to keep up to date on the next 9 actions.

Don’t shy away from difficult conversations with conservatives you love. Remember to keep your conversations positive – we are all human beings even if we don’t always share the same perspective. If you need a little help, check out this Tedx talk, with social psychologist Robb Willer, on how to have better political conversations. Remember to always lead with “empathy and respect”.

BONUS STEP: Share this toolkit with friends and family. We all know the frustration of wanting to help and not knowing how. Start sharing these ideas, or some new ones of your own, and let’s get to work!

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/toolkit-for-being-the-best-advocate-ever-during-the-trump-presidency/feed/0uclarhigThe Movement That Started With a Marchhttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/the-movement-that-started-with-a-march/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/the-movement-that-started-with-a-march/#respondFri, 27 Jan 2017 00:12:12 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=120For the millions of us who woke up on January 21st feeling hungover and heartbroken from the inauguration of Donald Trump, the Women’s March was a breath of new life, hope, and rejuvenation. The march, which was organized in response to the inauguration, originated in Washington D.C. and was replicated in over 600 cities globally. Approximately 750,000 Angelenos descended on downtown Los Angeles to walk in solidarity with women across the country. With approximately 3 million people in attendance in the U.S. alone, this was the largest inaugural march in U.S. history.

Positivity, inclusivity, and peaceful resistance epitomized the protests across the country. Jasmine Uysal, RHIG Co-President and march participant, noted, “I saw little girls climbing to the top of buildings dancing for their young, female empowerment. I saw women and men of all colors and classes coming together, above and in spite of their differences, to support one another. I saw increased recognition of the intersection of racism and feminism – acknowledgement of minorities’ additional burdens and mobilization to support them. I saw hilarious and serious signs with every Trump slander, statement of pride, and message of human and female dignity. Even though the metro was packed like sardines with waits just to get on over an hour, I never saw one person get pushed, run over, voiced over, or otherwise abused.”

In Los Angeles, Natalie Portman took to the stage, with an inspiring speech of women’s continued repression in society. She declared, “I do not feel safe in my body walking alone at night” causing a massive roar in the crowd, signaling an upsurge of understanding and momentum. The message was clear: we will not be afraid anymore.

In just the first few days of his presidency, Trump has already made it clear that he, his cabinet, and his policies are in direct opposition to women’s rights, healthcare access, free speech, civil rights, environmental protection, and so many more critical issues. However, in the days since the protest, the energy working against these regressive policies has not stopped. The same message is being echoed throughout the country—complacency will no longer be tolerated.

Caitlin O’Connor, RHIG Co-President and march participant, observed, “I saw one girl who could not have been much older than me holding a sign that said, ‘I had cancer and I would be dead if it wasn’t for the Affordable Care Act.’ I really hope that lawmakers and people in Washington take note of what’s going on down here on the ground, because we are their public, we won’t stay silent, and they owe it to us to get this right.”

The Women’s March served as a much-needed surge of hope, and support in communities across the country. But it is also a sign of what is to come, an indication of the passion and perseverance of so many Americans, and the resolute commitment of millions to protect the rights of our fellow citizens.

“The UCLA Reproductive Health Interest Group (RHIG) is deeply concerned by the result of this election. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have pledged to pursue oppressive curtailment of reproductive freedom and justice in all three branches of government. In addition, the hate speech that was spouted during the election, and that is now surfacing in the electorate at the impetus of his ascendency to the presidency are spreading fear, intimidation, and blatant discrimination against historically disadvantaged populations in our communities including women, people of color, LGBTQ persons, immigrants, Muslims, and youth. Many of the freedoms that we have fought for are under attack, such as the low or no cost birth control under the ACA and to the right to have a safe and legal abortion. RHIG firmly believes that defending the freedoms of all peoples and their reproductive justice are essential to the progress of America both in spirit and in health.

RHIG recommits to the fight for health, dignity, justice, and reproductive freedom for all American peoples. In our role as mediator between student activists, citizens, and essential reproductive health organizations, RHIG will be supporting efforts securing our reproductive freedom at UCLA, in our surrounding Los Angeles community, and on a greater national scale. RHIG offers a safe space for all peoples, preclusive of sexual orientation, race, class, gender identity, religion, immigration status, or education level. Whether you need company, love, acceptance, or want a space to fight for justice… we welcome you and appreciate your efforts.

During our member meeting early in the new year, RHIG will be offering an open forum to students interested in the fight for reproductive health and justice. We want to hear your stories, your fears, your dreams, your fights, your art, and your ideas as we work together to contribute to the battle for reproductive freedom. While today our numbers are small, together our voices can be loud. We are #strongertogether .”

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/some-thoughts-on-the-recent-election/feed/0uclarhigUPCOMING FILM SCREENING: NO MAS BEBES PREMIERE AT UCLAhttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/upcoming-film-screening-no-mas-bebes-premiere-at-ucla/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/upcoming-film-screening-no-mas-bebes-premiere-at-ucla/#respondSat, 02 Apr 2016 18:34:28 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=108Continue reading UPCOMING FILM SCREENING: NO MAS BEBES PREMIERE AT UCLA]]>Please join the Reproductive Health Interest Group (RHIG) and on campus sponsors for the UCLA premiere of No Mas Bebes. This important film documents the stories of Mexican immigrant women who were victims of forced sterilization in the 1970’s & 80s and highlights the reproductive injustice many Latino and immigrant populations have faced. After the film will be a short Q&A session with the film makers moderated by RHIG. The film will premiere on Wednesday April 13 from 4-7pm in the Chicano Studies Research Center Library – 144 Haines Hall. Space is limited so please RSVP!”

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/upcoming-film-screening-no-mas-bebes-premiere-at-ucla/feed/0uclarhigNo Mas Bebes Flyer FINALHELP WANTED! INQUIRE WITHIN.https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/help-wanted-inquire-within/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/help-wanted-inquire-within/#respondSun, 20 Mar 2016 03:57:45 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=88Continue reading HELP WANTED! INQUIRE WITHIN.]]>Hello beautiful RHIG members and supporters! As winter (or an LA style quasi-winter) gives way to spring here at UCLA, we are happy to announce that we have begun the recruiting process for RHIG leadership in the 2016-2017 academic year! Unfortunately, we will be bidding a fond farewell to most of our leadership team as they move on towards graduation or other pressing academic pursuits. However, we are grateful to have had them serve as RHIG leaders to inspire and support the efforts of RHIG thus far- they have set a GREAT thing up, and we look forward to maintaining their level of dedication and expertise in the coming year. Though new leadership positions will have some BIG shoes to fill, with all the support and guidance we have, we are confident that we can it only get better from here!

If you are passionate about reproductive health and justice and want to get involved in a meaningful way, consider joining RHIG leadership! All positions are open, and all interested students are encouraged to apply! Applications are DUE April 8TH. Applicants must be willing to commit to a full academic year (September-June) and be available to attend monthly RHIG leadership meetings, as well as quarterly RHIG general assemby meetings. Apply using the link below. For questions please email us at uclarhig@gmail.com

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/help-wanted-inquire-within/feed/0uclarhigRHIG Presents: LEGENDARY BINGO!https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/rhig-presents-legendary-bingo/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/rhig-presents-legendary-bingo/#respondThu, 14 Jan 2016 21:05:01 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=78Continue reading RHIG Presents: LEGENDARY BINGO!]]>This week, UCLA RHIG had the extreme pleasure of hosting Legendary Bingo (known informally as Drag Queen Bingo) at Hamburger Mary’s Diner in West Hollywood. Hosted by the infamous Willam Belli (who holds the title of being the only Drag Queen to have ever been disqualified from RuPaul’s Drag Race), Legendary Bingo is a biweekly event put on by Hamburger Mary’s. Unlike its traditional counterpart, Drag Queen Bingo is raunchy, entertaining, and tail-gated by sky-high heels and monstrous fishbowl cocktails – this is NOT your grandmother’s bingo! Through weeks of planning, gathering donations, and endlessly publicizing the event – we are very proud to say that the night was a resounding success! The grand total raised from the event was $2128, wow! RHIG would like to give the world’s biggest THANK YOU to all of our supporters that came out to bingo and that donated baskets and auction items. This amazing night would not have been possible without YOU!

RHIG Leadership with the one and only Willam BelliIT’S ON! RHIG Members Jenna and Amber get ready to play bingo.

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/rhig-presents-legendary-bingo/feed/0uclarhigRHIG Co-presidents working the door.RHIG Leadership with the one and only Willam Belliimage312552945_10104926393110523_7210509073788924454_nRHIG Partners with YES! (The Youth Empowerment and Support Program) to Deliver Motivational & Life Skills Programming for Vulnerable Youth in Venice, CAhttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/rhig-partners-with-yes-the-youth-empowerment-and-support-program-to-deliver-motivational-life-skills-programming-for-vulnerable-youth-in-venice-ca/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/rhig-partners-with-yes-the-youth-empowerment-and-support-program-to-deliver-motivational-life-skills-programming-for-vulnerable-youth-in-venice-ca/#respondMon, 23 Nov 2015 18:44:25 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=74Continue reading RHIG Partners with YES! (The Youth Empowerment and Support Program) to Deliver Motivational & Life Skills Programming for Vulnerable Youth in Venice, CA]]>The Youth Empowerment & Support Program (YES!) is partnering with the Reproductive Health Interest Group (RHIG) to provide educational programming for underprivileged youth in Venice, California. Operating out of Safe Place for Youth – Venice, The YES! Team will deliver engaging and interactive course content focused on providing youth with innovative job and life skills coupled with motivational messages and techniques designed to maximize their personal and environmental resources.

Currently, RHIG is recruiting 4-5 interested students with backgrounds in community education to join the YES! Team. Individuals involved would commit 3-7 hours a month developing and delivering educational lesson plans. Each learning activity will include a 15 minute oral lesson component along with a 45 minute interactive activity to reinforce and practice the lessons main messages. The target population will include males and females from ages 12-25 years old from homeless or low-income background. Members will also be responsible for creating evaluation mechanisms to update and evaluate the program throughout its implementation.

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/rhig-partners-with-yes-the-youth-empowerment-and-support-program-to-deliver-motivational-life-skills-programming-for-vulnerable-youth-in-venice-ca/feed/0teachinguclarhigteachingRHIG Partners with California Family Health Council for LARC Awareness Week!https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/rhig-partners-with-california-family-health-council-for-larc-awareness-week/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/rhig-partners-with-california-family-health-council-for-larc-awareness-week/#respondMon, 16 Nov 2015 22:06:15 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=72Continue reading RHIG Partners with California Family Health Council for LARC Awareness Week!]]>From this Sunday November 15th – Saturday 21st the UCLA Reproductive Health Interest Group (RHIG) will be partnering with California Family Health Council for LARC Awareness Week. LARC’s (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives) are the most effective and convenient forms of birth control and have up to 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Once implanted by a medical provider, LARC’s do not have any daily or monthly maintenance allowing for perfect use every time. Studies have shown that “LARCs have the potential to significantly reduce unintended pregnancies in the United States,” but until recently had a significant cost barrier for most of the population. Two of the most popular methods are the implant and the IUD.

Now with new insurance mandates LARC’s are widely available for many more women. In the name of reproductive justice, RHIG stands as a partner in LARC education and awareness through our distribution of family planning resources and educational initiatives.

Stay tuned this week and check in on RHIG’s social media to find new resources everyday!

]]>https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/rhig-partners-with-california-family-health-council-for-larc-awareness-week/feed/0uclarhigRHIG Guest Blogger Series Presents: With Liberty and [Reproductive] Justice for Allhttps://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/rhig-guest-blogger-series-presents-with-liberty-and-reproductive-justice-for-all/
https://uclarhig.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/rhig-guest-blogger-series-presents-with-liberty-and-reproductive-justice-for-all/#respondMon, 02 Nov 2015 02:19:04 +0000http://uclarhig.wordpress.com/?p=68Continue reading RHIG Guest Blogger Series Presents: With Liberty and [Reproductive] Justice for All]]>Starting this week, our blog is going to be featuring some fresh and new content written by our very own RHIG members! The stories we share are their own experiences with reproductive health and justice, and the challenges and successes we encounter along the way. To start us off is a piece from our RHIG education co-chair, Emily Rozema. Emily wrote this while interning for the L.A. Trust for Children’s Health, a nonprofit that works closely with LAUSD. The Foundation’s mission is “to improve student health and increase readiness to learn through access, advocacy, and programs.”

With Liberty and [Reproductive] Justice for All

By: Emily Rozema

As a relatively new and emerging framework, “Reproductive Justice” is a term that can be hard to grasp. Start by thinking of “Reproductive Health,” the well being of the reproductive system. Next think of “Reproductive Rights,” the set of services and education to which we are legally entitled in order to maintain reproductive health. But in far too many cases, reproductive rights (and consequently reproductive health) come with barriers that keep them from serving their intended purpose. Thus, “Reproductive Justice” aims to break down these barriers. In short, reproductive justice means equity in the ability to exercise our reproductive rights, ultimately achieving reproductive health for all.
Having been interested in reproductive justice for a few years now, I am more than impressed with the role that the LA Trust is playing in this movement. A couple of years ago I was teaching sexual health in the small, rural town of Williams, AZ when a student came up to me after class and asked where he could get Plan B for his girlfriend. To this day, I am bothered by the fact that I could not come up with a reasonable answer. He could go to the one pharmacy in the one grocery store in town, but what if he didn’t have $50 to spend on it? Barrier. He could drive to the closest county clinic, but it was 40 miles away and he didn’t have a car. Barrier. He could ask his parents to buy it for her, but I knew that he came from a troubled home life. Barrier. So even though it was this young couple’s reproductive right to obtain Plan B in order to maintain reproductive health (i.e. preventing an unplanned teenage pregnancy), reproductive justice is missing here.

But move this scenario to an LAUSD high school with a wellness center, and the barriers disappear. The student and his girlfriend receive the Plan B pill on campus and free of charge, become educated on birth control options available on site, maybe even receive relationship counseling if necessary, and reproductive justice is served.

Of course, reproductive justice is about so much more than birth control on high school campuses. Reproductive justice means all people are empowered and able to choose the who, what, where, when, and why of their sexual experiences without coercion or judgment. It means people from all cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds are equally able to have the children they want, not have the children they don’t want, protect themselves from disease, and freely express their sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Achieving true reproductive justice is a task that will take a lot more time, social change, and hard work from people like us. But for now, I’m extremely proud to work for an organization that is setting a groundbreaking example of reproductive justice among our community’s youth.